Disability inclusion in early education can’t just be promised – it has to be practised

RippleAbility is launching a new Respite Program designed to support families raising children with profound disabilities. The initiative takes a holistic approach, addressing the needs not only of the children with complex care requirements, but also of their parents and siblings, who can often feel overlooked in the shadow of high-needs caregiving.

The framework and insights emerging from RippleAbility's upcoming three-month pilot programs are expected to offer a replicable model that other organisations and policymakers can adopt nationwide to better support families in need.

Inclusion starts early - and it stays with you

Early childhood experiences set the tone for how a child sees themselves in the world. They shape confidence, connection, and self-worth. When those early years are filled with exclusion, the long-term impacts stretch far beyond the school gate.

With these new reforms, we have a window of opportunity. But implementation cannot be tokenistic. The Department must work with the sector to build capability, not just issue compliance. It must co-design resources with families – not for them. And most of all, it must make sure inclusion means every child, not just the easy ones.

Because every time a child is turned away, what they hear is: you don't belong here.

And we can – and must – do better than that.